The second annual Fidelity FutureStage Playwriting Contest was announced Feb. 8 by the producers of the Tony Award-winning Billy Elliot: The Musical; Fidelity FutureStage, a theatre education program for inner-city high school students; and Fidelity FutureStage Honorary Chairman and composer of Billy Elliot Elton John.

The contest asks students to submit a ten-minute, one-act play reflecting one of Billy Elliot’s themes, which include pursuing dreams, discovering talent and overcoming obstacles.

The grand prize winner will receive the opportunity to attend the opening night of the Chicago company of Billy Elliot and attend the after-party. Five winning plays will be presented at Billy Elliot’s Broadway house, the Imperial Theatre, in a gala event sponsored by Fidelity Future Stage June 14.

Composer John said in a statement, "I am a great believer that every child should have access to the arts. The arts can take you to a place you can only imagine. What Fidelity FutureStage is doing is encouraging young people to use their imagination and unlock gifts they never knew they had inside them."

Submissions are due by 11:50 PM ET on March 15. The contest is open to full-time students aged 13-19 in grades 7 through 12. Finalists will be notified March 22. The winner will be announced March 29.

The Imperial Theatre is located at 249 West 45th Street. *

Now in its fourth year, Fidelity FutureStage coordinates a year-long theatre education curriculum for over 600 students from ten New York City schools in inner-city areas. Students have the opportunity to learn from leading theatre professionals and, eventually, present their own work on stage. The Fidelity FutureStage Playwriting Contest was created in 2009 to create further opportunities for theatre participation to additional New York metro area students.